If you are looking for the knit version, you can find it here.1
The Make-A-Long (MAL)
“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own. And I am not free as long as one person of Color remains chained. Nor is any one of you.” - Audre Lorde, “Sister Outsider”
“We knew that there could be no real sisterhood between white women and women of color if white women were not able to divest of white supremacy, if feminist movements were not fundamentally anti-racist.” - Bell Hooks, “Feminism is for Everybody”
I love when knitters and crocheters can come together and make something together. This shawl was designed in collaboration with Rachel from Stitches and String Theory in honor of Women’s History Month. Rachel is hosting a Craftivism MAL to benefit the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC). The MAL features the “Unfree Shawl,” knit version designed by Rachel of Stitches and String Theory and crochet version designed by Liv Scott of NeuroStitches. Starting on March 8, 2025, join fellow knitters and crocheters while we make the Unfree Shawl, and learn and engage in meaningful discussions about “white feminism.” For 5 weeks, Rachel will be posting discussions and case studies illustrating “white feminism” and the ways in which it fails to understand the shackles holding back women who don’t fit its particular perspective.
You can follow along and participate in the #UnfreeMAL through the Unraveling Privilege Blog, Instagram, BlueSky, or Ravelry. 100% of the proceeds from all sales of this pattern during March 8, 2025, through April 5, 2025, will be donated at the end of the MAL to the NWLC, with receipts posted to Instagram and Bluesky.
Want to join? Here’s the process:
1. Obtain the Unfree Shawl pattern (there is a knit and crochet version):
A. Knit version: Purchase the pattern from Stitches and String Theory’s Payhip, or send proof of a donation of $5 or more to the NWLC, dated between March 1, 2025 and April 5, 2025, to info@unravelingprivilege.com and you will be sent the pattern PDFs.
B. Crochet version: Purchase the pattern from NeuroStitches’ Ravelry or Etsy shops.
2. Post a photo of your WiP (Work in Progress) and/or FO (Finished Object) on either BlueSky or Instagram and make sure to tag Stitches and String Theory so Rachel sees it:
BlueSky, tagging @stitch-theory
Instagram, tagging @stitchesandstringtheory
That’s it! On April 6, at the end of the MAL, 8 winners will be chosen from everybody who posted a WiP or FO on social media to receive a free pattern from a BIPOC or queer knitting designer. One grand prize winner will be chosen from everybody who posted a FO to win a skein of yarn from Laverne Benton (BzyPeach). Please note that while discussions and information will be available on the Unraveling Privilege Blog and in the Unfree MAL Ravelry Event page, in order to be entered to win a pattern or the skein of yarn, you must post a photo of your WiP or FO on either BlueSky or Instagram and tag Stitches and String Theory.
If you’re on BlueSky, there’s a feed for the MAL so you can see everybody’s beautiful projects in one place!
A huge thank you to the wonderful designers who agreed to let me showcase their patterns as prizes: Lola Johnson (Third Vault Yarns), Françoise Danoy (The Practice of Fibre), Tian Connaughton (Knit Designs by Tian), Aimee Sher (Aimee Sher Makes), Noriko (Norichan Knits), Fatimah Hinds (Disturbing the Fleece), Harper Bee (Disyarning), and Saysha Greene (Insayshable Knits) and to Liv Scott of Neurostitches for collaborating with me and designing the crochet version of the pattern!
The Crochet Pattern
This crochet pattern creates a beautiful but simple chain link design using an easy to memorize two-row repeat. Gauge is not important for this pattern so you can make the shawl as large or as small as you like, using any yarn you wish. Step-by-step instructions, detailed photos, and video tutorials are included which makes this advanced beginner pattern (familiar with chaining, single crochet, double crochet, and yarn over slip stitches) perfect for visual learners. This pattern uses US abbreviations and was tech edited.
Your purchase of this pattern includes 2 pdfs: A full, detailed version with photo and video tutorials, and a printable, 2-page version.
Due to the nature of digital downloads, no refunds will be issued.
I am available for pattern support via email hello@neurostitches.com.